Google migrated Google Hangouts users to Google Chat in October 2021. Google Chat serves as a replacement for Hangouts, and your contacts and chat history from Hangouts are automatically migrated to the new Chat. If you don't like this change, Hangouts users are free to opt out. In this switch and block anyone from harassing you in Google Chat, here's how to block users on Google Chat in Gmail.
Google Chat can be accessed in Gmail on the web or through the official app for Android and iOS. As with Google Hangouts, users can block contacts on Google Chat in various ways. We'll explain some of the methods in detail below.
How to block someone via chat in GMAIL WEB
Once you block a contact on Google Chat, it also applies to other Google apps like Photos, Google+, and Google Maps. Here are the steps to follow to block a contact in Gmail Chat:
Step 1: On your favorite web browser, log in to your Gmail account.
Step 2: In the left pane of the Gmail window, select the Chat section.
Step 3: Hover your mouse over the relevant contact's name below the Chats banner and then click the vertical ellipsis button.
Step 4: From the options presented, select Block & Report and this should bring up a pop-up window titled Block & Report.
Step 5: In the pop-up window, click the "Block" button in the lower-right corner. If you want to report the individual as well, check the box next to "Report to Google."
How to block someone on Spaces
SPACE on Google Chat is a central location where different individuals can assign tasks and share files. Chat users can also block unknown or unwanted contacts through SPACE. Here's what to do:
Step 1: On your favorite web browser, log in to your Gmail account.
Step 2: On the left side of the Gmail window, select the Spaces logo.
Step 3: Under the Spaces banner, select any of the spaces with the relevant contact.
Step 4: At the top of the space window, next to the space name, click the down arrow.
Step 5: Select View Members from the options shown.
Step 6: In the new window, click the vertical ellipsis next to the name of the relevant contact you want to block.
Step 7: Click Block to block the individual.
How to block someone by ignoring message requests
Google Chat lets you ignore chats from people you don't know. You'll receive a notification when someone tries to chat with you for the first time. If you choose to ignore messages, the following will happen:
- The message disappears. You'll need to search for the sender in Google Chat to view the request again.
- The person who sent the request doesn't know whether you ignored their message or not.
- You can always block the sender from sending further message requests.
Here's how to ignore a message request on Google Chat:
Step 1: On your favorite web browser, log in to your Gmail account.
Step 2: In the left pane of the Gmail window, select the Chat logo.
Step 3: Click the envelope icon that indicates message requests.
Step 4: Click on the name and the message with the request will appear.
Step 5: Click Ignore if you don't want to receive further requests from the sender.
Step 6: In the pop-up window, click the "Ignore" button in the lower-right corner. If you also want to block the individual, check the box next to "Block and report also."
How to unblock someone via settings
You can unblock a blocked contact or message request. Here's how:
Step 1: On your favorite web browser, log in to your Gmail account.
Step 2: Click Settings at the top of the Gmail page.
Step 3: Click See all Settings.
Step 4: Click Chat and Meet.
Step 5: Select Manage chat settings.
Step 7: Select the individual from the list of suggestions and click the X to unblock them.
Block someone on Google Hangouts
That's all there is to know about blocking users on Google Chat in Gmail. If you haven't been migrated to Google Chat using Google Hangouts, You can also block unwanted contacts. and unknown users.
